The “Wild West” bar fight in Ennis

A pub fight reminiscent of the “Wild West” involving 50 to 80 people resulted in four Ennis men receiving a suspended two-year sentence at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday (Monday).
The court heard that the fight forced six gardaí outside for their own safety as they felt “the patrons turn” on them in The Lifford Bar, back in October 2010.
In evidence to the court Sergeant Mark Murphy of Ennis Garda Station said everyone was fighting. “I mean everyone”, the garda told the court.
“It was a scene from a wild west movie,” he said.
The court heard that at 11pm on the night in question the Gardaí were called to the Ennis licence premises on the Newbridge Road.
A garda described all the pub’s patrons as being involved in the fight, as cans, bottles and glasses were thrown indiscriminately, tables and stools knocked over and used as weapons. The court heard that one of the defendants, John Anthony McDonagh, was inside the counter throwing glasses indiscriminately with both hands and laughing as he was throwing them.
“Due to the risk to the members I ordered all gardaí outside,” said Sgt Murphy.For more see this week’s Clare People

Andrew has been working in the media in the West of Ireland for more than a decade. During that time he has been shortlisted for many national journalism awards, served as a judge for the Choice Music Prize in 2008 and was part of the nominating panel for the Meteor Ireland Music Awards from 2008 to 2011. He holds an MA in Journalism and Public Relation and a BA in English, Sociology and Politics.
He is currently working on his debut novel. A selection of his writings, including a number of short stories can be viewed on Where The Rain Falls at https://wheretherainfallslifeemerges.blogspot.com/
Follow Andrew on twitter: @Andrew_CPeople
Contact Andrew on ahamilton@clarepeople.ie